The Structure of the Organization

Introduction

The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous make clear
the principle that A.A., as such, should never be organized, that there
are no bosses and no government in A.A. Yet at the same time, the Traditions
recognize the need for some kind of organization to carry the message
in ways that are impossible for the local groups - such as publication
of uniform literature and public information resources, helping new groups
get started, publishing an international magazine, and carrying the message
in other languages into other countries.

The Conference structure of A.A. is the framework in which
these "general services" are carried out. It is a method by which A.A.'s
collective group conscience can speak forcefully and put its desires for
worldwide services into effect. It is the structure that takes the place
of government in A.A., ensuring that the full voice of A.A. will be heard
and guaranteeing that movement-wide services will continue to function
under all conditions. The story of the development of general services
and Conference structure is told in the historical material that appears
in the A.A. Service Manual Combined with Twelve Concepts for World
Services, written by Bill W. one of the co-founders of A.A. Today,
general services include all kinds of activities within the Conference
structure, carried on by districts, area committees, delegates, trustees,
the General Service Office and the Grapevine (A.A.'s monthly magazine).
Usually, these services affect A.A. as a whole.

How A.A. is Organized

A.A. has been called an upside-down organization because
by looking at an organizational chart the A.A. group or meeting is on
top and "headquarters" is on the bottom. A.A. is comprised of groups or
meetings. (Based on the Fourth Tradition of A.A. taken from the Long Form,
"With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible
to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern
the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted.
And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action
that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the
trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare
is paramount.")

Each A.A. group or meeting may elect a general service representative
(GSR) to represent the group at district and area business meetings. Groups
or meetings form districts, usually on a geographic basis, and districts
form areas, also usually on a geographic basis. Area 75 represents the
A.A. groups meeting in the southern region of Wisconsin. Each area in
the U.S. and Canada elects a delegate to attend an annual Conference where
matters of importance are determined by the voting delegates. Other Conference
attendees include trustees, directors of A.A. World Services and the Grapevine
magazine, staff members of the General Service Office and staff of the
Grapevine magazine.

(Reprinted from: the A.A. Service Manual
Combined with Twelve Concepts for World Services, written by Bill W.,
copyright 1962, pages s15-s17, with permission of A.A. World Services,
Inc.)

How Area 75 - Southern Wisconsin is Organized

Area 75, Southern Wisconsin, is comprised of thirty-one
(31) geographic districts and one district, District 10, which represents
Spanish speaking A.A. groups in the Area. (Numerically, district numbers
range from 1 to 37 due to the combining of districts over time.)

In order to conduct business, Area 75 elects officers from
the membership in even numbered years. These positions include a chairperson,
alternate chairperson, a delegate, an alternate delegate, a secretary,
an alternate secretary, a treasurer and an alternate treasurer. The term
of office is two years. In addition, the chairperson appoints service
committee, also referred to as standing committee, chairpersons who also
serve on a two-year basis.

The Area 75 Service Committees include: Archives, Cooperation with the
Professional Community, Corrections, Grapevine,
Literature, Public Information, Special Needs, and Treatment.

The Area holds several business meetings a year. To carry out the objectives
of service, there will be a Winter Service Assembly, a Pre-conference Assembly,
a Spring Conference Assembly, a Summer Service Assembly and
a Fall Service Assembly. The business meetings are
conducted using Robert's Rules of Order with some modifications.

Area 75 Service Committees

The Area 75 Service Committees are modeled after the service
committee structure of A.A. Many of the local districts also have service
committees and the Area 75 chairpersons work with the district committees
to help assure that communities have A.A. services available where needed.
The following is a brief description of each of the committees.

Archives The archives committee maintains a repository
of items concerning the history of A.A. in Area 75 including assembly
minutes, service committee minutes, district meeting minutes, and any
material of historical interest such as group histories, records, programs,
flyers, newspaper articles and written and taped narratives.

Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC)
The purpose of this committee is to bring the A.A. message to professional
groups and individuals who have contact with alcoholics furthering mutual
understanding and cooperation between A.A. and these professionals. CPC
also increases the awareness of members and outside groups and organizations
on ways of cooperating with others without affiliating.

Corrections This committee encourages A.A. members
to assume responsibility for carrying the message to alcoholics behind
the walls. The corrections committee reviews all aspects of service to
A.A. groups in correction facilities, and makes recommendations for changes
and/or improvments. It is also concerned with clarifing what A.A. can
and cannot do, with in the traditions, to help inmate alcoholics both
inside and upon release.

Grapevine This committee is chaired by the immediate
past delegate for Area 75 and is responsible for encouraging and supporting
activities related to the distribution of the Grapevine Magazine. The
Grapevine Magazine is published by AA Grapevine Inc. and is also available
on a bi-monthly basis in Spanish. www.aagrapevine.org

Literature In Area 75 the Alternate Delegate serves
as the Literature chairperson. This committee is responsible for maintaining
a display of all A.A. Conference approved literature and audio-visual
materials and making them available for members and groups.

Public Information This committee is responsible
for creating greater understanding of - and prevailing misunderstandings
of the A.A. program, through public and electric media, public information
meetings, and speaking to community groups.

Special Needs This committee focuses on the needs
of A.A. members who may need special help in order to participate in A.A.
meetings, such as, transportation to meetings because of a physical or
mental disability, interpreters, or special audio/visual help.

Treatment This committee coordinates the work of
individual A.A. members and groups who carry the message to alcoholics
in treatment facilites, This committee also sets up means of bridging
the gap from treatment to A.A., and works to clarify what A.A. can and
cannot do, within the A.A. traditions, to help alcoholics in treatment.

Additional Resources Regarding A.A. General Service and
the Structure of A.A.